1 NOVEMBER 1913, Page 13

CURRENT LITERATURE.

ART BOOKS.

History and Methods of Ancient and Modern Painting. By James Ward. (Chapman and Hall. 7s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Ward covers a large field and, as he gives some account of pictorial art as well as of technical processes, it is inevitable that his survey should be superficial. This book in no way rivals the numerous histories of painting which have appeared in the last few years, nor does it contain anything approaching to the technical knowledge to be found in such works as those which Professor Laurie has written on the subject. In the section dealing with artists' materials Mr. Ward makes statements for which he gives no reasons, some of which are surprising, such as saying that madder colours are not permanent if mixed with white lead.